Bureaucracy's role vital in social, economic uplift: Mamnoon

LAHORE - President Syed Mamnoon Hussain has said that the bureaucracy is the backbone of the country and has a vital role to play in the social and economic development. He was addressing the passing-out ceremony of 47 officers of 36th Specialized Training Programme for the probationary officers of Pakistan Administrative Service here at Civil Services Academy (CSA) on Monday. Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar, Education Minister Rana Mashood Ahmad Khan, CSA Director General Farkhanda Waseem Afzal, National School of Public Policy Rector Ismail Qureshi and faculty members of the CSA were also present on the occasion.The president said that efficient governance could improve the service delivery to the people at grassroots level and the bureaucracy should adopt zero tolerance against incompetence and corruption. He advised the officers to perform their duties to serve humanity. Mamnoon said that civil servants must prepare themselves according to the modern needs and challenges of duty. He said the democratic government was fully committed to overcoming the challenges of extremism, terrorism, militancy, weak economy and corruption. “We can take the country to peace, prosperity, and stability and this is possible through efficient bureaucracy and good governance,” he added.He said Pakistan was going to play a very important role on the economic front of the whole region and the Pakistan-China joint project of economic corridor would prove to be a milestone for the prosperity of the people. The president said impartiality, commitment and selfless efforts of civil officers could enhance the service delivery to the public. “You have a unique role in policymaking, so public welfare must be in your mind during this process,” he told the officers of 36th Specialized Training Programme.The president expressed the pleasure on 25 percent ratio of female officers in the Pakistan Administrative Service and termed it good for the bright future of the nation. He endorsed the plan to upgrade the CSA and announced a grant of Rs 5 million for the establishment of a computer lab at its campus.The president urged the nation to realise responsibilities following the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and make selfless efforts to steer the country out of the crisis.CSA DG Farkhanda Waseem Afzal, addressing the officers, highlighted the achievements of the institution. Mamnoon Hussain distributed trophies among position holders in the fields of academia, sports and other events of the academy. He also gave away certificates to 47 probationary officers, including 10 women, three men from Gilgit-Baltistan and one each from Hindu and Christian communities. The CSA DG presented a shield to the president of Pakistan.